My relationship with Queen Mary began in October 2021. At that time, I was considering going on a master’s degree focused on the works of Dickinson and Wordsworth. After thorough research on various programs, I left Canada and enrolled in the 2022 cohort of the School of English and Drama (SED). Enjoying my studies, I took a risk to extend my visa through the Graduate Visa program to work in the UK. After six months of job searching, I utilised Queen Mary’s Careers & Enterprise support for CV assistance and job hunting. I found a suitable vacancy in the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), worked on my application hard, and secured the role. My previous work experience involved supporting learning management systems like Moodle and Brightspace in Canada, which made me familiar with Queen Mary’s use of Moodle. I spent three years in that role before my master’s and seamlessly transitioned back to a more focused position in the Department of CCLS.
My current title is Digital Learning Advisor for the Centre for Commercial Law Studies.
During my bachelor’s program, my university offered a coop program mainly for STEM students to gain work experience alongside their studies. They began promoting it for humanities students, and several instructors encouraged me to participate. I applied for the Junior Educational Technology Assistant position, which involved supporting Moodle, despite lacking any relevant experience.
In my interview, Craig, who would later become my boss, asked why I wanted the role. I emphasised my desire to assist students and instructors in navigating educational technology, inspired by the support I received during my own studies. They appreciated my response, hired me, and I quickly adapted to the role.
A few months in, I asked Craig why he chose me, given my retail background and English major. He explained that while many STEM students excelled at Moodle, they struggled with communication. He pointed out that I possessed skills he couldn’t teach, which played a crucial role in their decision. This experience showed me the value of soft skills, which are often overlooked by hiring managers. Thanks to his risk in hiring me, I now have a fulfilling career.
I am collaborating with the assessment teams at CCLS to improve our assessment periods. We’ve established standardised templates within a sandbox Guidelines course to ensure consistency across descriptions and updated contact information for submissions. Students can now use the new email for assistance, ensuring their assessments are considered ‘on time’ if submitted before the deadline. Additionally, we’ve revised the settings so that students don’t have to click ‘Submit’ multiple times. These changes resulted in significant improvement when comparing the May to August assessment periods. I’m committed to making processes easier and am open to feedback to ensure changes are impactful.
I go to the gym, a lot! A few years ago, I embraced fitness and lost about 23 kilograms. I love waking up at 5:00 AM to work out before heading to the office—it helps calm my racing thoughts and makes me feel strong. On the other hand, I also enjoy crocheting. Inspired by a friend, I created a temperature blanket that tracks daily temperatures with different colours, one row at a time. This sparked the idea for a workout blanket, where I colour-code my gym activities, whether resting, doing yoga, or working out.
Crocheting and exercising help me focus and quiet my mind, which is especially valuable since I have ADD and my thoughts often race in multiple directions. These activities ground me and improve my concentration.
Favourite cuisine? It’s definitely Hobnobs. I have never experienced them before. I had them for the first time, waiting in line for the Queen’s funeral, and I was blown away. I will eat the entire pack.
Which film would you watch time and time again? Not a movie, but the TV show is Downton Abbey. I love it. I put it on when I clean, I can quote from it way too much.
Choose a holiday type: mountains, beach, city? Beach. I’m incredibly clumsy, so anywhere I can be still, I’m not having to worry about hurting myself.
Favourite gadget / tech you own? My Kindle. I have way too many books on it, it’s my emotional support Kindle to the point where it’s always with me.
Choose your top 3 dinner party guestsMy grandmother, who predeceased my birth. So I never got a chance to meet her. Anne Boleyn, I really enjoyed studying the tutor period and I would love to hear her side of everything. Ideally her head is still attached! Robin Williams as well. I feel like it would just be great to have some good laughter at that dinner party as well.
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